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Tag: UK

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Othello, Frantic Assembly, Birmingham REP

    ★★★★★ | Othello, Frantic Assembly, Birmingham REP

    Mesmerising, Otherworldly, Sublime

    Who would have thought that Shakespeare’s “Othello” could be placed in a ‘Chatsworth Estate’ like location, bursting with rawness but, at the same time, realness unlike any other. Frantic Assembly dissects the true essence of the play and transfuses it in to a contemporary setting. Extremely commendable work.

    “Othello” is my favourite play by William Shakespeare, but as underrated as it may be to many, it cannot hide the fervour of overcharged emotions that play from minute one. It tells the story of a Venetian moor who is the general of the armies in Venice that marries the daughter of a Venetian Senator, figure of which disapproves of the union. The theme of this play is jealousy, and Iago speaks of this as: “It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on.” Iago is jealous of many things, but in particular Michael Cassio’s promotion to Left Lieutenant by Othello, when Iago has been his long serving ‘slave’. Iago sets about on a mission to deem Desdemona ‘false’ and unworthy of Othello’s love. Iago proceeds in planting the seed of doubt in to Othello’s mind that Cassio and Desdemona are, essentially, at it. It all goes downhill from there, culminating in Othello killing his wife due to the paranoia.

    Some say there may be a sub-jealousy theme going on: Iago is jealous of Desdemona being married to Othello, when Iago envisions himself in her place. There is one sequence in Frantic, on the pool table, Iago is standing over Desdemona, and then the table rotates as Iago walks along it and his crotch level with Othello’s head. Read between the lines yourself.

    The ensemble of Frantic Assembly was subliminally phenomenal. Each actor played a key part to the show’s success. Every actor was strong in movement but eloquent in speech, which is a hard thing to do. Especially when, in one moment, one is being flung around a pool table and in the next reciting a speech in perfect iambic pentameter. Under the electric and elegant direction and choreography of Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett with Eddie Kay, “Othello” simmers into a beautiful crescendo of emotions and physical energy.

    The actor that stood out most ferociously was Steven Miller, who you might recognise as playing Lenny Lyons in Casualty, with his relentless energetic flair and passionate speaking, in verse. His monologues were heart-felt and sincerely understood.

    The set, for me, played a fundamental part in the atmosphere witnessed by the audience. The way the concertina flats moved effortlessly around the stage, and the way the pool table zoomed in and out, almost like a feather, was only short of genius. My favourite scene was when Cassio (Ryan Fletcher) is drunk and he portrays being drunk most convincingly, and the set aided to this with the ‘walls’ literally moving as Fletcher zig-zagged alongside it portraying the drunk effect we all know, very well, “the room is spinning”.

  • RESTAURANT REVIEW | Señor Ceviche

    Peruvian pitanza comes to Soho in the form of Señor Ceviche

    Recently a friend and I were lucky enough to try out the pop-up turned restaurant, Señor Ceviche and their fine Peruvian dishes. Originally a pop-up restaurant touring round London, it has now made its home in the heart of Soho. Inspired by his time working in Peru’s top ceviche restaurant, Señor Ceviche himself, Harry Edmeades, will transport hungry Londoners to the sights, sounds and tastes of the Peruvian capital. The interiors have been designed around the bohemian and artistic streets of Lima’s party district, Barranco, which is home to some of Lima’s most exciting bars and restaurants, and where Harry stayed while in Peru.

    As you enter the restaurant, in the very impressive Kingly Court, you soon realise that the restaurant hasn’t lost its edge. With a truly Spanish downtown feel, you are transported to the mean backstreets of Lima (where we all know, the truly good food is). We were seated by the brightly and bubbly, Ariana who truly added to the Hispanic experience, serving us with the perfect balance of attentiveness and yet not too attending.

    We soon had a chance to look over the mouth-watering menu but our eyes were naturally drawn to the cocktails and we were not disappointed. We enjoyed Miraflores, Ayahuasca, Señor’s Frozen Sour and Mamaquilla; the perfect accompaniments to a truly tasteful meal. So onto the best bit, alongside the numerous amounts of cocktails, we were delighted to be presented with various dishes. We chose Chifa Chicharonnes (slow cooked, crispy pork belly with sweet soy sauce), The Spaniard (sea bream & king prawn ceviche with tomato tiger’s milk & crispy chorizo), Tamarind BBQ Chicken Anticuchos (chicken skewers with sticky tamarind BBQ sauce & aji amarillo anticucho sauce) and the best-selling Super Chicken (marinated & chargrilled chicken served with aji rocotto mayonnaise) as well as Patatas Fritas with Huancaina & Tomato Fondue (skin on fries covered in spicy Peruvian cheese sauce & tomato fondue) and Cusco Quinoa (roasted vegetables, edamame beans, giant choclo corn & crumbly queso). Now that may sound like a lot of food and yes, it was. But we were so happy. I’m an incredibly slow eater so the opportunity to go through these delicious dishes at my own pace was perfect and by the end, I was rightly stuffed (although I did enjoy their brownie and coconut ice cream).

    Founded in 2012 by Harry, the roots of Señor Ceviche lie in pop-up innovation; just five ceviche dishes and his now-signature Pisco Sour featured on the original menu for a one-off fusion of art and cuisine at The Art Cellar, and saw other takeovers at The Doodle Bar and Dukebox. Since then, Harry has continued his culinary journey, spending extensive time in Peru to bring new flavours and tastes to Señor Ceviche’s experimental menu. As well as working in some of the Lima’s top restaurants with Peru’s most acclaimed chefs, Harry has worked tirelessly to source the very best of Peruvian produce. Through meeting with an array of chilli farmers to pisco producers across Peru, Harry ensures Señor Ceviche will serve authentic dishes made from the highest quality and freshest Peruvian ingredients.

    Overall opinion:
    The whole experience was amazing; the food, drinks and staff were incredible. The dishes are served in a tapas style, so if you like that style of dining where ‘sharing is caring’ (and who doesn’t to be honest) and you don’t mind the dishes arriving as soon as they’re cooked, you’re going to love Señor Ceviche. The restaurant that celebrates the vibrancy of Peruvian culture with authentic Chicha street art adorning the walls including posters commissioned exclusively for Señor Ceviche. It is a restaurant that I will definitely be returning to and that I would definitely recommend.

    REVIEWED BY: Matt Peake
    ADDRESS: 1st Floor, Kingly Court. London, W1B 5PW
    VENUE PHONE: 0207 842 8540
    WEBSITE: http://senor-ceviche.com/
    RATING: ★★★★★ (explained)
    PRICE: ££ (explained)
    TIPPING POLICY: Optional Service Charge

  • REVIEW: Chris Stein/Negative: Me, Blondie and The Advent of Punk, Somerset House, London

    Fittingly it’s Deborah Harry’s opening line in the programme notes that sums it best.

    ”I had no idea that Chris was a voyeur when I met him”

    Currently running til 25th January 2015 at Somerset House to mark the 40th anniversary of Blondie, Chris Stein/Negative: Me, Blondie and The Advent of Punk is a showcase of unpublished photographs by Chris Stein, the hugely successful 70’s band’s co-founder.

    Blondie were undoubtedly one of the most influential bands of their generation with a sound encompassing punk, new wave, hip hop and reggae and in Deborah Harry happened to have one of the most iconic front women of all time. It is no accident that Harry is regularly cited as heroine by so many indie and alt rock musicians that followed.

    Unsurprisingly she dominates the work on show and her beauty, sensuality and good old fashioned star quality is the exhibition’s main selling point. There is a mix of candid outtakes, a snapshot taken backstage with David Bowie a particular highlight and unseen pictures from magazine shoots. This is no one woman show however. Images of other figures from the NYC punk and new wave scene such as Iggy Pop, The Ramones and Joan Jett loom large. At it’s best Stein’s work is stark and unsentimental, documenting the people and places he knows well with the sharp eye of an insider.

    Perhaps the most haunting portrait on show is of writer William S Burrows, taken in the late 80’s. Conservatively dressed, arms folded and with head cocked, he radiates defiance and fierce intellect.

    The exhibition also serves to chart the progress of Blondie from their formation in 1974 to the huge international fame a few years later. But while the band travels to Europe and beyond, they remain rooted in New York. A series of city street scenes and urban landscapes show that Stein is as interested in the harsh beauty of the city as the people that populate it.

    There is a high possibility that anybody vaguely acquaintanced with Blondie’s music will rush home to play Parallel Lines on repeat for the rest of the day. And that is no bad thing. But the power of this exhibition is in capturing a time long past but that still has a hand in shaping alternative pop culture hugely today.

    Find out more visit Somerset House

    5 November 2014 – 25 January 2015

    Daily 10.00-18.00 (last entry 17.15)

    Open until 21.00 (last entry 20.15) on Thursdays from 27 November

    24 & 31 December 10.00-16.00, 25 & 26 December-closed, 1 January 12.00-18.00

    East Wing Galleries, East Wing

    Free admission

  • Second Man Arrested After Homophobic Attack In London

    Second Man Arrested After Homophobic Attack In London

    Police have confirmed that a second man has now been arrested in connection to an assault in London on two gay men.

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  • THEATRE REVIEW | DV8: JOHN, The Lyttleton Theatre

    ★★★★★ | DV8: JOHN, The Lyttleton Theatre

    Lloyd Newson’s DV8 Physical Theatre Company have been presenting innovative dance pieces for the best part of three decades and have won a plethora of awards. I wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised if their latest piece, John, now playing at the Lyttleton Theatre were to bring them a whole lot more.

    The programme note tells us that the piece we are seeing is not what Newson had originally planned, a work about assisted suicide. The emphasis changed when a close friend of Newson’s died unexpectedly, and he decided he needed to do a work about love and life rather than death. They interviewed several men for the project, but when John came into their office, it became clear that the new work would predominantly follow John’s story, and so the present piece was born.

    It starts as a monologue about John’s traumatic council estate childhood under the shadow of a violent, rapist father. Anna Fleischle’s ingenious, revolving set is put to brilliant use as characters move from one room to another. At first movement is fairly natural, but it becomes more stylised as the story evolves, though always as a response to speech. Rather than being set to music, in this case, the movement is a reflection of language and the words being spoken.

    Later the set doubles for the gay sauna where much of the second part of the piece is played out, perfect in its depiction of the endless cruising from sauna to steam room to restrooms. Much of the choreography is unbelievably complex. In the group scenes, you feel that if one member of the company were to misplace a foot or a hand, then the whole delicate balance would be destroyed. That never happens of course, and one of the joys of this production is seeing the way bodies fuse together, meld into one and then just as easily drift apart, something of a Newson trademark.

    Endlessly fascinating, but ultimately incredibly moving, it not only examines John’s reasons for having sex with men, but also unflinchingly examines why men may or may not take risks with their sexual health. Their stories are told without judgement, without prejudice.

    I won’t give anything away, but the ending with John caught once more alone on the stage was incredibly moving. It runs for one hour and twenty minutes without an interval, but time had gone so fast, it was hard to believe it was actually the end.

    A true collaboration, one should also mention the excellent lighting of Richard Godin and the sound design of Gareth Fry. Every single one of the performers should be commended for their commitment, for their skill, and for the beauty of the movement. So too should Lloyd Newson, who has yet again come up with a starkly original and thought-provoking piece of theatre.

    John is on now at the Lyttleton Theatre and almost half the tickets for each performance will be £15 as part of the Travelex Theatre Scheme

    On 9 December John will be broadcast live to over 550 UK cinemas and many more worldwide as part of National Theatre Live. Details at www.ntlive.com

    Runs until 13th January 2015

  • THEATRE REVIEW | STOMP – Sheffield Lyceum and National Tour

    ★★★★ | STOMP – Sheffield Lyceum and National Tour

    Mixing tap dancing, street dance, percussion, juggling, humour and incredible feats of physical performance, STOMP enters its 25th year with a show which utilises everything from paint pots to bin lids to create rhythmic set pieces which are dazzling, fresh, funny and exhilarating.

    Initially, one did wonder, having only seen the odd set piece from STOMP before on TV variety shows, how they would be able to fill a continuous one hour forty minute show without it becoming repetitive, but they were able to move from one set piece to the next seamlessly, always managing to add something new and different from what had come before. Using everything from brooms, sinks and dustbin lids through to shopping trollies, cigarette lighters and giant rubber rings, the variety of set pieces was more than enough to keep the show rattling through its running time, and the show arrived at its curtain call before you knew it and before you wanted it to.

    You couldn’t help but admire the sheer physicality of the performers, whose stamina throughout their relentless performance was undeniable. Their precision and sense of timing was impeccable, demonstrated nowhere better than in a routine involving a rapid flickering of cigarette lighters creating an effect which was reminiscent of a string of Christmas lights. The physical prowess of the performers impressed as they undertook what can only be described as a percussionist parkour; utilising and clambering over the set and props and leaving you in no doubt that they were giving it their all.

    With a static backdrop, covered in objects which transform into impromptu percussion instruments, the set was straight forward, but both the set and the performance were enhanced by some subtle but very intelligent lighting which also worked as a distraction tool, allowing the performers to disappear and reappear elsewhere, adding to the energy and vibrancy of the piece. The sounds of the beats, bangs and stomps, as the cast belted them out, were so loud that they resonated in the chest and added to the excitement of the performance.

    The show was also peppered with a lot of humour. A few looks, glances or exaggerated gestures exchanged between the cast members conveyed a simple narrative and each individual performer managed to develop an unassuming on-stage persona, which separated out the cast members from each other.

    The show was far better than expected and the combinations of skills on display were both impressive and enjoyable. STOMP is certainly deserving of their reputation after 25 years of tours and performances and the show has much more to it than you might expect.

    STOMP is at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre until 8th November 2014 (http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/ ) before continuing on its national tour. For details, visit http://www.stomp.co.uk/location/uk/

  • Two Men Injured In Halloween Homophobic Attack In London

    Officers in Kingston Borough are appealing for witnesses and information following a homophobic attack on two men in Surbiton in the early hours of Saturday morning, 1 November.

    Police were called at around 01:20hrs that day to reports of males fighting outside the KFC restaurant in Brighton Road, Surbiton.

    Officers attended and found a 21-year-old man [victim1] suffering a head injury.

    London Ambulance Service attended and the man was taken to a hospital. He has since been discharged.

    A second man with the victim, aged 18 [victim2], was also suffering minor facial injuries.

    The Community Safety Unit on Kingston Borough is investigating and is treating the attack as a homophobic hate crime.

    At this early stage, it is understood both victims were walking along Victoria Road and as they passed a group of two men and three women outside the YMCA they were subjected to homophobic abuse from one of the two men.

    The two victims walked away but when they reached the zebra crossing nearby the two men [suspects 1 and 2] approached them and ‘victim 2’ was punched.

    ‘Victim1’ intervened to protect ‘Victim2’ and the suspects then assaulted him.

    ‘Victim1′ ended up on the floor where the suspects kicked and stamped on him.

    Passersby intervened to stop the attack and the suspects both ran off along Victoria Road.

    A search of the area by officers did not locate anyone matching the suspects’ descriptions.

    ‘Suspect1’ has been described as: a white man, aged in his late twenties, with fair hair that was shaven, a muscular build, short in height, and wearing a pink tutu.

    ‘Suspect2’ has been described as; a white man, also aged in his late twenties, with brown short hair, and also wearing a pink tutu.

    A 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

    He was arrested on Tuesday, 4 November for grievous bodily harm and common assault and remains at a west London police station.

    Enquiries continue regarding the identity of the second suspect.

    Trainee Detective Constable Ann-Marie Hodgkiss, the officer in the case, said: “This was a violent and unprovoked hate crime and I am appealing for anyone with any information about the incident to contact me.

    “The two suspects were distinctively dressed, probably due to Halloween, and I would urge anyone who recognises their description and who may know who they are to contact me and help us trace them.”

    Any witnesses or anyone with any information are asked to call the Community Safety Unit at Kingston Police Station on 0208 721 5858 or via 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • No More Go Slow On Your Mobile

    The government sets out plans to eliminate poor mobile coverage that blights a fifth of the UK.

    As part of its long-term economic plan, the government today set out plans to eliminate the poor mobile coverage that blights a fifth of the UK.

    Culture Secretary Sajid Javid today said mobile users in many parts of the UK regularly suffer from a poor signal leaving them unable to make calls or send texts.

    These areas – so-called ‘partial not-spots’ – have coverage from some but not all of the 4 mobile networks (EE, O2, Three and Vodafone). Depending on the network consumers are on, they, therefore, may have no coverage.

    The Culture Secretary is determined to improve coverage from all 4 networks in these areas and has therefore launched a consultation on the various legislative proposals that can help achieve this.

    This will give the government the chance to hear views on these proposals from all interested parties.

    Talks have been held with the mobile companies in recent months in an attempt to find a voluntary solution and this work by the industry is expected to continue whilst the consultation runs.

    Sajid Javid said, ‘I’m determined to ensure the UK has world-class mobile phone coverage as an investment in infrastructure will help drive this government’s long-term economic plan.

    ‘It can’t be right that in a fifth of the UK, people cannot use their phones to make a call. The government isn’t prepared to let that situation continue.

    ‘We’ve been talking to the mobile companies about the problem and they are working with us to find a solution.

    ‘This consultation will complement the work industry is doing and allow the government to hear from the wider telecoms sector, businesses and the public.

    ‘Businesses have been clear about the importance of mobile phones and improved coverage will help deliver jobs and economic security.’

  • THEATRE REVIEW | MY PERFECT MIND, The Rep – Birmingham

    ★★★★★ | MY PERFECT MIND, The Rep – Birmingham
    Epically Humorous and Uncompromisingly Sincere

    Told by An Idiot’s “My Perfect Mind” stuns The Door of The Birmingham Rep, with its simplistic yet meaningful set and with its mastermind-like quality of acting. This astonishing play is an account of the actor Edward Petherbridge suffering from a stroke and his recovery, with help of a friend, Paul Hunter who does everything in his power to accommodate Edward’s imagination and fantasy.

    “My Perfect Mind” draws inspiration from the story of Edward Petherbridge’s second rehearsal of King Lear, where he suffered a severe stroke, which left him almost paralysed. Upon recovery, Edward comes to an enlightening discovery. Though his mobility had suffered from this event, all the lines for his part, King Lear, lived in his memory still.

    King Lear is one of Shakespeare’s most enigmatic and profound plays starting off with this 80 something King abdicating his land and rule by splitting it into three parts to give to his three daughters: Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. He asks of them, as an exchange for this gift, their expression of love to him. Goneril and Regan obey, but Cordelia upon being asked what she feels about her father, she merely says: “nothing”, which makes the old king banish her. Later on, in the play Lear loses his rule, goes insane and is banished. Shakespeare loved happy endings.

    The 90-minute play was filled with powerful energy and with a plethora of characters coming from one actor – Paul Hunter. Hunter had an incredible ability to multipart with astonishing speed, parts of which seemed to give Edward the Wonderland of Lear. Every time a new character emerged they asked Edward what he was doing? To which he always replied with “I am performing King Lear”, then Hunter, in character, acted impressed and amazed every time. Hunter blew the audience away with his gift of shape shifting between characters and with his unrivalled ability to seduce the crowd with laughter, particularly when he switched from David to Carol.

    Petherbridge’s story shone brightly on stage, as he played himself and the situation so vividly, it appeared we were witnessing the event real-time. His roaring delivery of speeches and then his sweet old-man like voice provided us with an emotional journey of discovery and recovery. We were left wishing we could hear Edward perform “King Lear” for real. The dramatic device Edward used with splashing paint over the wall was epic, as he belted Lear’s storms speech.

    One conclusion I can draw from this experience and it is somewhat ironic. King Lear goes through the play receding in his mental capacity and suffering bitterly, yet Edward used King Lear as a form of recovery. The fact that he still remembered the part, post-stroke, gave him a great sensation and by fate, he falls into the delightful direction of Kathryn Hunter and on the tour of “My Perfect Mind” depicting his story so magnificently.

    04 – 08 November 2014

  • Two Gay Men In Horrific Anti-Gay Attack On Manchester Tram

    Two gay men were assaulted on a Manchester Tram in the early hours of Saturday morning (1st November) leaving one unconscious.

    Jean-Claude Manseau and Jake Heaton were singing songs from the hit musical Wicked when the pair were subjected to verbal abuse by an another passenger.

    When Manseau and Heaton got off at Piccadilly Gardens the homophobic passenger called over a group of 15 others and according to the victims proceeded to attack them physically.

    Manseau was knocked unconscious and sustained head injuries while Heaton was punched to the back of the head.

    Speaking to Manchester Evening News, Manseau said, ‘It has destroyed every bit of confidence I have. It will be a while before I go anywhere on my own. I don’t know when I’ll feel safe to go into Manchester again.

    ‘They split my forehead, my lip, broke my nose. My eyes are black and swollen. My ribs are painful, I can’t move much. My face is going to be scarred for life. That has upset me.’

    Heaton went on to say, ‘It was terrifying. They crowded around us and it probably only last a few seconds but it felt like a lifetime. It’s completely shocking. Nowadays you think people are mostly accepting of people’s sexuality, especially in a big city like Manchester.

    ‘We did nothing to provoke it. We were just having a laugh and a sing on the tram. It was definitely homophobic. Throughout it all, they were hurling abuse at us. I don’t feel safe now. You feel like you can’t be who you actually are when there are people like this walking the streets.’

    Anyone with information, please call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

  • Four Must Sees At The Fringe! Queer Art And Film Festival

    The 4th addition of East London’s FRINGE! Queer Art & Film Festival is its largest event to date having spread to a whole week of activities. It is one of this Country’s leading exponents of edgy queer cinema proudly showcasing films that may otherwise never get screened, and yet so need to reach the audience that they deserve. Amongst this year’s premieres we have chosen 4 as THE GAY UK top tips for you to go see.

    BAMBI: This very exceptional story of an unquestionably remarkable woman and her transformation from little Algerian boy to respected Parisian Literature Professor via Music Hall Star is utterly spellbinding It quite deservedly won filmmaker Sebastian Lifschitz the TEDDY AWARD for Best LGBT Documentary at the Berlin Film Festival.

    THE DOG: A compelling documentary on John Wojtowicz a loud-mouthed obnoxious New Yorker who robbed a Bank to pay for his boyfriend’s sex change. His exploits were fictionalised and made into the Oscar winning movie ‘Dog Day Afternoon.’

    THE CIRCLE: Part documentary part fiction, this is a fascinating glimpse into the post WW2 mixed fortunes of a gay community in Europe before the onslaught of freedom that was about to occur with the swinging 1960s. Another TEDDY WINNER, this is also Switzerland’s official submission for a Best Foreign Picture Oscar Nomination.

    BOY MEETS GIRL: Eric Schaeffer’s refreshing and enchanting drama about three 20 year-olds looking for love in a small backwater town in Kentucky gently challenges us to suspend our preconceived views on gender labels and be as open to what happens as these lovelorn kids are. It’s warm and often very funny and an entertaining, intelligent, sensitive treatment of an oft misunderstood subject and probably the most enlightening and best movie that we have seen on it so far.

    FRINGE! Queer Art & Film Festival runs 3rd – 9th November. For tickets and venues checkou tfringefilmfestival.com